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The online film magazine Combustible Celluloid offers new movie reviews, DVD reviews, film reviews, actor interviews, actress interviews, director interviews, film books and all things cinema related for the thoughtful and passionate. Online for ten years! Over 3000 reviews!

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Die Nibelungen (1924)

Rating: 4 Stars (out of 4)

Exit the Dragon

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

Buy Die Nibelungen on DVD

The underrated Fritz Lang earned belated critical recognition for his personal stamp included on his many claustrophobic crime pictures. This DVD release of Die Nibelungen opens an entirely new chapter in Lang's career.

By 1924, Lang had already mastered the two-part epic, a lengthy film released in theaters in two different sections. Following up his masterful Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler, he turned his skills to this astonishing, five-hour fantasy.

Part One follows the adventures of Siegfried, a hero who slays a dragon, bathes in its blood and becomes an (almost) invincible warrior. Part Two follows Siegfried's widow Kriemhild, who marries Attila the Hun in order to avenge her late husband's death.

Both parts feature jaw-dropping art direction, but part two is distinctly darker and more elaborate, especially in its fiery climactic battle sequence. Die Nibelungen as a whole is much clearer than Dr. Mabuse and much more entertaining than Lang's more famous Metropolis. It's an essential masterpiece.

Once again, Kino has done a spectacular job with this 2-disc set. The picture is better than anyone could have hoped, the score is very well done, and the extras include footage of Lang on the set, sketches, essays and more.

Starring: Margarete Schön, Paul Richter, Gertrud Arnold, Hanna Ralph, Theodor Loos, Hans Carl Mueller, Hans Adalbert Schlettow, Hardy von Francois, Georg John, Erwin Biswanger, Bernhard Goetzke
Written by: Thea von Harbou, Fritz Lang
Directed by: Fritz Lang
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Language: Silent with English intertitles
Running Time: 291 minutes
Date: December 10, 2002